1304 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The ore from the preconcentrated stockpile is sent to fur-
ther comminution through a closed circuit with ball mills
and hydrocyclones until a particle size under 100 microns
is achieved to be sent to froth flotation.
Celestine flotation aims to separate celestine from cal-
cite and gypsum. To this end, different reagents are added.
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is added as a gypsum depres-
sant by modifying the pH. sodium and magnesium sulphate
are added as modifiers. A final concentrate of celestine is
produced, with a grade over 90%.
FUTURE OF STRONTIUM
Circularity and Environmental Assessment
The recognition of strontium as a critical raw material in
the European Union is expected to bring more attention
to the market, spurring an increase in production and
demand. As strontium criticality is strongly associated with
its Supply Risk, SR =6.5 (European Commission, 2023), it
is important to shift the market and research focus towards
enhancing its circularity.
Since 2019, industrial minerals in general and celes-
tine in particular have experienced an increase in value
of 17.7%. The exploitation of celestine in Granada and
especially in the Montevive mine is remarkable, as it is the
only producer at the European level and one of the few
worldwide. Consumption of total strontium and strontium
compounds increased significantly in 2022. In addition,
consumption of celestine increased by 10% compared to
2019, probably due to improved economic conditions after
the recession caused by COVID-19.
Circular economies rely on the incorporation of recy-
cled materials to replace primary raw materials, yet the
share of recycled strontium in the EU remains negligible, as
reported by the European Commission, (2023). The “End-
of-Life Recycling Input Rate (EOLRIR),” a key param-
eter that represents the supply of secondary raw materials,
300 mm
100 mm
10 μm
Tailings
Flotation 100μm -10 μm
Preconcentrated ore
100μm -2mm
2 mm Feed to Dense Media Separation
Preconcentrated ore
60 -65% Celestite
Flotation
100μm -10 μm
F
Celestite concentrate
upto 93%
Rougher
1st cleaner
2nd cleaner
Reject
RoM
ore
25 mm
25 mm
15 mm
Addition of
magnetite
3 mm
JC
BM
BM
H
RM
RM
H
H – Hydrocyclone
BM – Ball Mill
JC – Jaw Crusher
RM – Roller Mill
RoM Ore – Run of Mine Ore
S
Tailings
Tailings
H
Figure 7. An overview of the celestine concentration process at Minas de Ezcúzar
The ore from the preconcentrated stockpile is sent to fur-
ther comminution through a closed circuit with ball mills
and hydrocyclones until a particle size under 100 microns
is achieved to be sent to froth flotation.
Celestine flotation aims to separate celestine from cal-
cite and gypsum. To this end, different reagents are added.
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is added as a gypsum depres-
sant by modifying the pH. sodium and magnesium sulphate
are added as modifiers. A final concentrate of celestine is
produced, with a grade over 90%.
FUTURE OF STRONTIUM
Circularity and Environmental Assessment
The recognition of strontium as a critical raw material in
the European Union is expected to bring more attention
to the market, spurring an increase in production and
demand. As strontium criticality is strongly associated with
its Supply Risk, SR =6.5 (European Commission, 2023), it
is important to shift the market and research focus towards
enhancing its circularity.
Since 2019, industrial minerals in general and celes-
tine in particular have experienced an increase in value
of 17.7%. The exploitation of celestine in Granada and
especially in the Montevive mine is remarkable, as it is the
only producer at the European level and one of the few
worldwide. Consumption of total strontium and strontium
compounds increased significantly in 2022. In addition,
consumption of celestine increased by 10% compared to
2019, probably due to improved economic conditions after
the recession caused by COVID-19.
Circular economies rely on the incorporation of recy-
cled materials to replace primary raw materials, yet the
share of recycled strontium in the EU remains negligible, as
reported by the European Commission, (2023). The “End-
of-Life Recycling Input Rate (EOLRIR),” a key param-
eter that represents the supply of secondary raw materials,
300 mm
100 mm
10 μm
Tailings
Flotation 100μm -10 μm
Preconcentrated ore
100μm -2mm
2 mm Feed to Dense Media Separation
Preconcentrated ore
60 -65% Celestite
Flotation
100μm -10 μm
F
Celestite concentrate
upto 93%
Rougher
1st cleaner
2nd cleaner
Reject
RoM
ore
25 mm
25 mm
15 mm
Addition of
magnetite
3 mm
JC
BM
BM
H
RM
RM
H
H – Hydrocyclone
BM – Ball Mill
JC – Jaw Crusher
RM – Roller Mill
RoM Ore – Run of Mine Ore
S
Tailings
Tailings
H
Figure 7. An overview of the celestine concentration process at Minas de Ezcúzar